National Real Estate Prep xL - PSI

Prep xL by OnCourse Learning is a sophisticated exam prep tool that leverages adaptive learning technology to tailor study materials to meet your individual needs. Its personalized learning paths provide the optimal study experience to prepare you for the national information on your upcoming real estate license exam. This product should be used only after completion of the state pre-licensing course requirement.

Prep xL features:

Customized study plan including daily goals that adapt based on activity throughout the system.

Self-paced, comprehensive library of over 1,000 practice questions that will allow you to concentrate on specific topics based on your confidence and knowledge of the subject.

Anti-Discrimination Laws

As far back as 1866, with the Civil Rights Act, legislators have been trying to eliminate discrimination in the housing industry. This course reviews the history and purpose of laws against discrimination. Specific real estate practices of blockbusting, steering and redlining are detailed. In addition, the impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act is highlighted. Finally, how to recognize and guard against predatory lending practices is reviewed.

Business Management in a Real Estate Office

Are you looking to or do you already run a real estate office? Set yourself up for success. The purpose of this course is to offer knowledge and strategy surrounding the essential aspects of the business management of a real estate office. Highlights of this real estate CE course include: human resource administration, financial management, business forecasting, budgeting, and government laws and regulations.

Commercial Finance and Investment Analysis

An excellent overview of the financial side of commercial real estate, this course begins with the history of the savings and loan business and walks you all the way up the commercial real estate industry's financing practices today. Not only does this course cover the various types of commercial property financing, it takes a deep dive into the characteristics of each. Additionally, this course covers the different approaches for investment evaluation including appraisal, property comparison, capitalization rates, and the time value of money.

Commercial Sales and Exchanges

Fully understand all the facets of commercial sales and tax deferred exchanges in commercial real estate. This elective course takes a deep dive into the particulars of the commercial contract, procedures for closing, and essential documentation for commercial sales. Additionally, this course contains insight into the requisites for and advantages of tax deferred exchanges.

Ethics in Real Estate

A great refresher in ethics, this course reviews the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Code of Ethics and fulfills the mandatory NAR Ethics Renewal Training requirement. Complete with case studies and various scenarios, students will enjoy a better understanding of what is and is not ethical for real estate professionals. Highlights include decision-making exercises designed for an in-depth understanding of application in daily real estate practice.

Ethics-Pricing, Offers, And Advertising

This Ethics course follows the NAR-mandated curriculum for the NAR-required Ethics course. In day-to-day real estate transactions, real estate professionals are forced to make decisions that require ethical reasoning. Ethics: Pricing, Offers and Ads explores the agent's obligation to protect a client?s interest, plus looks at an agent's duties with regard to advertising himself and a property. This must-have guide serves as a blueprint for providing information on making ethical decisions regarding pricing, offers, and ads. Per the NAR requirements, the course must cover the Preamble and two of the following Articles in the Code of Ethics:

Article 1

Article 2

Article 3

Article 9

Article 11

Article 12

Article 16

Article 17

The Ethics: Pricing, Offers and Advertising course covers the Preamble and Article 1 and 12.

Evolving Real Estate Finance Laws

This course examines the development of federally regulated consumer protection provisions relating to home ownership, including TILA, Regulation Z, HELCPA and HOEPA. Covered is a discussion of the changes to HOEPA in the Dodd-Frank Act, including expanded triggers for determining whether a mortgage transaction falls under HOEPA, and the additional lender requirements and prohibitions under its provisions. Changes in the requirements for escrow accounts conclude the course.

Financing Residential Real Estate

The financial aspects to purchasing a home is such a vital step in the process and one of the most confusing to the potential buyer. What options are available? What is included in closing costs? This elective course will walk you through the dizzying array of financing options available today. Discover discover the choices available through FHA, VA and special financing possibilities, as well as a simplified approach to accurately assessing closing costs.

Green Home Construction

Thinking about "going green?" The prevalence of green home construction continues to expand in the U.S. Don't you want to have a better understanding of this market? This course covers various topics in both sustainable design and green home construction including waste management, lot shopping, special safety applications, site work, and building material choices.

Green Home Features

Introduction to Brokerage Management

Are you ready to take on the leading role as managing broker? In today’s results-focused workplace, you need a solid understanding of management functions, the importance of strategic thinking, and how to analyze the financial condition of the company. If you want to build your leadership role and lead your company to a winning performance, —this groundbreaking course is for you!

Leading and Communicating Effectively

Do you know how to influence, transform and inspire others? “Leading and Communicating Effectively” is packed with powerful information and ideas to help you improve your leadership skills! Explore different types of authority…examine ways to build a company image and reputation…discover the most effective communication styles…find out the essential elements of developing a policies and procedures manual. If you want to build your leadership role—this groundbreaking course is for you!

Listing and Selling HUD Homes

With more than 40,000 HUD homes available annually, it is important for licenses to understand how the HUD selling process works. This course teaches licensees how homes enter the HUD home selling market, and how licensees and HUD contractors (field service managers and asset managers) interact within a HUD transaction. Discussed are HUD's online bidding process, the registration for licensees who wish to bid on HUD-owned homes as selling brokers, and how a licensee may become a HUD listing agent. Also discussed are the components of the HUD Sales Contract Package and the process for completing and delivering the package and delivering it to the Area Manager. The course concludes with a discussion of the regulatory and disclosure issues relating to HUD transactions, how closing costs and earnest money are handled in a HUD transaction; advertising rules relating to HUD-owned properties, and the types of financing available to purchasers of HUD homes.

Methods of Residential Finance

Want to understand the financial component of residential real estate better? A comprehensive overview of finance for residential real estate, this course touches on a multitude of topics including FHA, VA loans, assumptions, alternative financing, conventional financing and purchase money mortgages. This course also covers legislation in regard to financing.

People Management in Real Estate

How do you successfully recruit and hire new agents? How do you retain good people once you get them? The answer to both these questions is the same- it's about people management. Explore the fundamentals of attracting and recruiting new agents to your firm. Identify the training needs of new and experienced licensees, plus look at effective tools and techniques for retaining good talent within your organization. Don't learn by trial and error! Begin the steps to building your people management skills now with this valuable groundbreaking course.

Prequalifying Your Buyer in Today's Market

This course provides an overview of real estate financing, and describes the different types of loans and loan programs as well as lending sources. Students will learn how to calculate debt ratios and use loan factors to complete mathematical calculations related to mortgage loans. Students will also estimate closing costs for different types of loans. The instruction is followed with a scenario for which the student will do the prequalifying computations and complete a loan comparison worksheet for the buyers in the scenario.

Professional Property Management

As a professional property manager, you must attempt to balance the needs of property owners with the needs of tenants. To accomplish this, professional property managers need to understand elements of leasing, rent collection, market dynamics, resident retention and building maintenance functions. Explore these important topics for both residential and commercial property management in this 4-hour elective course.

Property Valuation: Income Capitalization Overview

Learn all the steps included in the income approach to home and property valuation. This course dives into how to estimate rates of capitalization as well as income and expenses. Highlights include coverage of yield capitalization and direct capitalization as well as multiple examples designed specifically to help students better absorb and fully comprehend the material covered.

Property Valuation: Sales Comparison Approach

Gain insight into how the sales comparison approach to valuation works. This course takes a step-by-step look at the approach. Additionally, this course covers the process for data collections as well as different ways that adjustments can be estimated. Example problems help students to better retain and apply the information.

Qualifying the Buyer Under New Regulations

This must-have course addresses the fundamental role of real estate agents in the mortgage lending process. With so many changes affecting the ability of potential homebuyers to obtain loans, it is imperative for real estate agents to understand the complexities of today's market. The course discusses how to qualify buyers, as well as the pitfalls to avoid in that process. The qualified mortgage (QM) and ability to repay (ATR) rules are also covered, with an in-depth look at how they affect real estate transactions, real estate agents, and clients. Stay ahead of the curve with this dynamic course!

Real Estate Math

Math is a large component of numerous areas of real estate. This elective course helps the student understand what math calculations and formulas are included in and applicable for capitalization, property management, investments, commissions, return of investments, property costs, loans and property pricing. A hands-on course, students will enjoy the simple formulas and practice problems to better help retention.

Short Sales And Foreclosures

This course is an overview of short sale transactions, alternatives to short sales, how short sales affect buyers, lenders and sellers, the Home Affordable Modification Program (both HAMP Tier 1 and 2 are included) and the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative (HAFA II/Short Sale). Highlights include defining what a licensee's role is in a short sale and how to put together the packet needed in a short sale for a lender. Additional topics include how the MARS Rule affects real estate licensees who are working with a client on a short sale, tenant rights in relation to a short sale and also the kinds of lender fraud that licensees should be on the lookout for during the process of a short sale.

Tax Advantages of Home Ownership

What types of tax benefits are unique to homeowners? This course gives the student insight into different kinds of homeowner benefits and also teaches how to calculate taxes that can affect the purchase of a home. This is an elective real estate continuing education course.

Tax Free Exchanges

Learn all about tax free exchanges. This course is an excellent introduction to the implications of tax free exchanges for investment properties in residential real estate. Learn what is required to qualify for a tax free exchange, what different kinds of exchanges are available and also various ways that the title can be transferred for the purpose of an exchange.

Technology Trends in Real Estate

The technology landscape changes quickly, and this rapid change can have significant consequences for the real estate professional. In order to perform at their best, real estate professionals need to stay ahead of these trends. This course helps to bring focus to the technological innovations that are most relevant to real estate practice. The course will discuss trends in software, social media, and internet security. Videos are presented throughout the course to help explain and illustrate key topics.

Connecticut Appraisal Courses

Basic Appraisal Principles

Gain a foundation in appraisal principles. This course is an introduction to topics including legal considerations, what influences the value of real estate, real property concepts and characteristics, principles of economics, types of value and real estate markets and analysis, ethical considerations and highest and best use. This 30 hour course fulfills the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria for the levels of Trainee up to Licensed Appraiser.

Basic Appraisal Procedures

Want thorough insight into the process of valuation? Then this course is for you! During this 30-hour curriculum, students will learn the three approaches used by appraisers to reach the opinion of value (income capitalization, sales comparison and cost) and how to derive multipliers and rates. Also included is a guide through the sales comparison approach, which is comprised of checking the validity of information, organizing a comparative analysis, making adjustments, selecting comparison units, and how to conducting market research and reconciliation. Students will enjoy the hands-on completion of crucial sections of an appraisal report as well as gain insight into property description, design basics and construction. This course fulfills 30 hours of Real Property Appraisal Qualification Criteria for the levels of Trainee to Licensed Appraiser. It is advised to complete the Basic Appraisal Principles and Procedures Courses before taking this course.

Connecticut 75-Hours for Provisional Licensed Appraiser

Complete with 75 hours of the new Associate Real Estate Appraiser Qualification Criteria for Connecticut, this package includes three courses: Basic Appraisal Principles, Basic Appraisal Procedures, and the 2018-2019 15-Hour Equivalent USPAP Course. Also included in this package is the USPAP Manual eBook.

2018-2019 15-Hour Equivalent USPAP Course

This mandatory course will introduce aspiring appraisers to the requirements for ethical behavior and competent performance set forth in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

With the use of practice tests and interactive appraisal scenarios, you will get a full understanding of the history of appraisal standards, the structure of USPAP, essential steps in the appraisal process, USPAP definitions, and how to follow USPAP standards in your new career as a real estate appraiser.

The mandatory Appraisal Foundation USPAP manual ($75 value) is included at no additional cost.

Residential Appraiser Site Valuation & Cost Approach

Provides an introductory understanding of fundamental concepts of appraising. Focuses on the valuation of vacant land parcels and the development of the cost approach. Develops your skills by creating a current cost estimate using market extraction, interview techniques, and information provided by professional cost data sources. Covers the origin of the appraisal assignment to a final value estimate using various cost approach applications. Completion of Basic Appraisal Principles and Procedures Courses as a prerequisite for this course. Credit for 15 hrs of the 2008 Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria for the Licensed Appraiser level.

Residential Market Analysis and Highest and Best Use

Covers the relationship between market analysis and highest and best use. Learn how to find the information you need to make a highest and best use decision and how to interpret the information you find. Provides information on how to read and map a market area for a subject property and discover the essential links between market analysis, highest and best use analysis, and the three approaches to value (cost, sales comparison, and income capitalization).Completion of Basic Appraisal Principles and Procedures Courses as a prerequisite for this course. Credit for 15 hrs of the 2008 Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria for the Licensed Appraiser level.

Residential Report Writing and Case Studies

Get a crash course in appraisal report writing! Students will enjoy this hands-on constructive course focused on learning how to create effective, well-formed reports for appraisals. Both content and exercises focus on appraisal writing techniques, gaining a real understanding of and ability to apply residential valuation procedures and grammar guidelines. Specific residential case studies are used as examples to help students gain a realistic view. Examples help students grasp narrative comment writing on form appraisal reports and also how to explain the process and reasoning behind the valuation conclusions to those who use the reports. 15 hours of Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria for the Trainee through Licensed Appraiser level upon completion of this course. Students need to have taken Basic Principles and Basic Appraisal Procedures to be able to sign up.

Residential Sales Comparison and Income Approaches

Provides an introductory understanding of fundamental concepts of appraising. Guides you through the different data that needs to be collected and reviewed during the appraisal process. Explains how to use sales comparison grids and how to search for public comparable sales data in a computerized database. Describes the income approach process and lists each of the steps in the process. Completion of Basic Appraisal Principles and Procedures Courses as a prerequisite for this course. Credit for 30 hrs of the 2008 Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria for the Licensed Appraiser level.

A URAR Form Review

This course is a detailed walkthrough showing how to complete the Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR). Students will learn each step of the process as the course guides them through the sections and necessary fields of the form. At completion of this appraisal CE course, students should have a full understanding of how to complete the URAR reports in compliance with USPAP.

Appraisal Math and Statistics

A true understanding of appraisal math is essential for success as a real estate appraiser. This course offers students insight into key mathematical functions including the mathematics of finance, and calculating area and statistics involved in appraisal.

Cost Approach Overview

This introductory course is a hands-on learning exercise explaining cost approach valuation and the methods included in calculating it. Students will learn ways to estimate depreciation and cost. The course includes various examples to ensure proper understanding and retention.

Income Capitalization Overview

This hands-on course, complete with exercises to better students' understanding and retention, gives the student an overview of how the income approach to valuation works. Lessons include estimating income and expenses as well as estimating capitalization rates. This course covers both yield capitalization and direct capitalization.

Residential Appraiser Site Valuation & Cost Approach

Provides an introductory understanding of fundamental concepts of appraising. Focuses on the valuation of vacant land parcels and the development of the cost approach. Develops your skills by creating a current cost estimate using market extraction, interview techniques, and information provided by professional cost data sources. Covers the origin of the appraisal assignment to a final value estimate using various cost approach applications. Completion of Basic Appraisal Principles and Procedures Courses as a prerequisite for this course. Credit for 15 hrs of the 2008 Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria for the Licensed Appraiser level.

Residential Market Analysis and Highest and Best Use

Covers the relationship between market analysis and highest and best use. Learn how to find the information you need to make a highest and best use decision and how to interpret the information you find. Provides information on how to read and map a market area for a subject property and discover the essential links between market analysis, highest and best use analysis, and the three approaches to value (cost, sales comparison, and income capitalization).

Residential Report Writing and Case Studies

This is an excellent crash-course on the numerous writing exercises that you will need to know in order to be successful as an appraiser. Want to produce professional, thorough appraisal reports? Then this course is for you! It covers residential valuation procedures, numerous writing techniques, and a review of grammar and writing assignments focused around a residential case study. As a hands-on course, students will better retain information as they complete the included exercises such as the compiling of competent and practical narrative comments to be included in form appraisal reports as well as how to interpret valuation procedures and conclusions for people who use the reports. Please be advised that this course does have a prerequisite: the completion of Basic Appraisal Principles and Procedures Courses.

Sales Comparison Approach

Gain insight into how the sales comparison approach to valuation works. This course takes a step-by-step look at the approach. Additionally, this course covers the process for data collections as well as different ways that adjustments can be estimated. Example problems help students to better retain and apply the information.

Education hours required for a real estate salesperson license in the state of Connecticut: a minimum of 60 classroom hours of Real Estate Principles and Practices

Education hours required for a real estate broker license in the state of Connecticut: In addition to logging at least 2 years of licensure as a real estate salesperson, applicants must take: 60 hours of Principles & Practices, 15 hours of Legal Compliance, 15 hours of Broker Principles & Practices, and two 15-hour prelicense real estate electives. In lieu of the two 15-hour electives, applicants could take the 30-hour Real Estate Appraisal course or the 20-hour real estate transactions course. These courses must have been completed in the previous 5 years.

Reciprocity:

Real estate commissions and boards across the country are adopting policies for a real estate agents in one state to more easily become licensed in another state. The Connecticut Real Estate Commission has entered into reciprocal agreements with the following states: Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island and Tennessee.

Continuing Education (CE) and License Renewal Requirements:

Real estate salesperson licenses in Connecticut need to be renewed by May 31 on every even-numbered year. That is the day by which all real estate CE must be completed. Real estate broker licenses in Connecticut need to be renewed every even-numbered year by March 31. Required real estate classes to be completed by the renewal date include 3 hours of madatory coursework (in 2018 this is Fair Housing) and 9 hours of real estate elective courses.

Connecticut Appraisal Career

License Process for Connecticut

Connecticut Real Estate Appraisal Licensing Requirements

Learn about the appraisal education needs for licensing and renewal in Connecticut.

The information contained below is designed to provide a summary of the minimum education, experience, and examination requirements established by the Connecticut Board of Real Estate Appraisers. The information provided below can be found on the Board’s website. However, we recommend you contact the Board for more detailed information and for any changes which may have occurred.

Licensure Levels

• Provisional Licensed Appraiser

• Certified Residential License

• Certified General License

Licensure Requirements to Become an Appraiser

• Must be at least 18 years of age

• Must be of good moral character

• Must meet the educational requirement for the applying level of appraiser licensure • Must meet the experience requirement for the applying level of appraiser licensure • For Certified Residential level: A minimum of an Associate’s Degree OR 21 college semester hours in specific subject matters is also required. For Certified General level: A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree OR 30 college semester hours in specific subject matters is also required.

• 300 hours for the Certified General Appraiser which includes the same 200 hours for the Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser education AND: General Appraiser Sales Comparison and Income Approach (15 hours), General Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach (15 hours), General Appraiser Income Approach (45 hours), General Appraiser Report Writing and Case Studies (10 hours), General Appraiser Market Analysis and Highest and Best Use (15 hours)

Experience Requirements for Becoming an Appraiser

• Provisional Licensed Appraiser – no work experience requirement

• Certified Residential Appraiser – 2500 hours in not less than 30 months

• Certified General Appraiser – 3000 hours in not less than 30 months with at least 1500 hours of experience in non-residential appraisals